What is the price of a heart valve replacement in Turkey?
A heart valve replacement in Turkey costs between £8,700 and £26,000, prosthesis included, depending on the technique and the type of valve. In the UK, the procedure is generally covered by the NHS: the price gap only concerns patients who are not eligible for it.[1]
| UK | Price in Turkey |
| Surgical aortic (AVR) or mitral (MVR) valve replacement | £11,300 - £17,400 |
Heart valve replacement in Turkey: everything you need to know
Heart valve replacement is an essential procedure for people with severe valvular disease. It is a surgical operation that can save lives and considerably improve patients’ day-to-day quality of life.
Turkey now attracts international patients interested in this surgery, particularly those who are not eligible for coverage by their own country’s health system. This guide covers everything you need to know about heart valve replacement in Turkey.
What is a heart valve replacement procedure?
Heart valve replacement is an operation that replaces a part of the heart called the valve with a prosthesis when it is faulty. This surgery is essential for treating various valvular diseases such as aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation.
To replace the faulty valve, there are two options: biological valves and mechanical valves. The first type is made from animal tissue such as pig or cow tissue. It avoids lifelong anticoagulant treatment.
However, its lifespan depends on the age at implantation. Twenty years on, 38.1% of patients operated on at 60 or under had not been reoperated, against 59.6% between 60 and 70; beyond 70, 98.1% had not at fifteen years, out of 2,659 patients.[2]
As for the mechanical valve, it is made of metal or surgical-grade plastic. It has the advantage of lasting, but requires the prescription of lifelong anticoagulant treatment to prevent clots, with regular INR monitoring.[3]
Read our feature on pacemaker implantation in Turkey
Alternative treatments to heart valve replacement
Other solutions may be offered to you depending on the state of the valve. The cardiologist may, for example, suggest valve repair, a less invasive procedure. But it can only be performed when the valve can be restored rather than replaced.
They may also opt for a transcatheter aortic valve replacement or TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation). It is recommended from the age of 75 or in cases of high surgical risk.[4]
The PARTNER 3 and Evolut Low Risk trials extended it to low-risk patients.[5][6] In PARTNER 3, its one-year advantage, 8.5% versus 15.1% for death, stroke or rehospitalisation, did not hold at five years: 22.8% versus 27.2%, a non-significant difference, with 10.0% deaths versus 8.2% after surgery.[7] It replaces the aortic valve without opening the chest.
These options help tailor treatment to each patient’s specific needs and condition. Turkey, with its modern medical facilities and renowned cardiology specialists, offers solutions suited to each case.
When might you need a valve replacement in Turkey?
Heart valve replacement is necessary to treat serious heart conditions such as valve stenosis and valve regurgitation. These are conditions that prevent the heart valves from working properly. This disrupts blood flow and increases the risk of heart failure.
Indeed, valvular diseases can be congenital or develop with age, causing narrowing or regurgitation of the valves. In addition, 12.4% of people over 75 have aortic stenosis, of whom 3.4% have a severe form, one of the main reasons requiring valve replacement.[8]
Patients who suffer from chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, palpitations and sometimes loss of consciousness may need it.
How does the operation unfold?
Istanbul clinics are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology to welcome international patients. From preparation to recovery, you will be supported by a cardiac surgery team.
Preparation
Before the procedure, several preoperative examinations are necessary. You will need an echocardiogram, a cardiac catheterisation and blood tests to assess the general state of your heart and how the valves are working.
It is also necessary to stop certain medicines such as anticoagulants to reduce the risk of bleeding during surgery. You will meet the surgeon and the medical team to discuss the details of the procedure and to get answers to all your questions.
The surgical procedure
The length of the operation depends on the technique used and the number of valves to be replaced.
- For open-heart surgery, a heart-lung machine will be used to maintain blood circulation while the surgeon replaces the faulty valve.
- In the case of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the new valve will be inserted through a femoral artery.
Recovery
After the procedure, you will spend a few days in intensive care so that the medical team can monitor you more closely. During recovery, you will follow a cardiac rehabilitation programme and take medicines.
Doctors will carry out regular medical follow-up to ensure the new valve is working properly and to monitor any potential complication.
What follow-up is needed after a heart valve replacement abroad?
The most serious risk after returning home is endocarditis, an infection of the prosthesis. It occurs at a median of 91 to 92 days after the procedure[9], far from the team that operated. Among those who develop it, mortality reaches 32.8% after surgery and 43.0% after TAVI in France.[10]
Before a trip for medical tourism in Turkey, you must obtain the implant card: model, serial number and manufacturer of the aortic valve, mechanical or biological. EU Regulation 2017/745 requires it, but it does not bind any establishment outside the European Union.[11]
Any dental treatment affecting the gums should be reported to the dentist: in a patient with a valve prosthesis, European recommendations suggest considering antibiotic prophylaxis.[4]
Why choose Turkey for a heart valve replacement?
Turkey has become a sought-after destination for heart valve replacement, particularly because of the experience of Turkish cardiac surgeons. International patients feel more reassured in the hands of healthcare professionals trained in cardiac surgery.
In addition, clinics in Istanbul have equipment that follows the latest medical technology. No national outcome data is published: the only Turkish TAVI series we found covers 31 patients at a hospital in Ankara.[12]
Frequently asked questions about heart valve replacement
How long do I need to stay in Turkey for a heart valve replacement?
The length of stay depends on the technique: the initial hospital stay is shorter after a TAVI than after open-heart surgery.[5] The surgical team sets the date of return, flight included, as no standard timeframe is validated.
What results can be expected from a heart valve replacement in Turkey?
Patients generally see an improvement in their quality of life and a reduction in their symptoms. The result also depends on the state of the heart before the procedure and on follow-up of the new valve on return to the UK.
Is the procedure painful?
After open-heart surgery, the sternum scar remains painful for several days. The pain is treated with painkillers during and after the procedure, under intensive care monitoring. TAVI, by contrast, does not open the chest.
Can I travel alone for this procedure?
Because of the recovery period and the severity of the procedure, it is recommended to be accompanied for a heart valve replacement in Turkey. This gives you the support you need during your recovery.
Are there any dietary restrictions after the operation?
Dietary adjustments may be necessary to support your recovery and your heart health. With a mechanical valve, the anticoagulant is taken for life and monitored by INR: the diet is adjusted with the doctor managing that treatment.
How long before I can return to normal activity?
Returning to activity varies from patient to patient and according to the technique used. After open-heart surgery, the sternum must heal before any exertion. The schedule, driving and sport included, is set with the surgeon and the cardiac rehabilitation team.
Sources & References
- Assurance Maladie. Qu’est-ce que le dispositif appelé Affection Longue Durée (ALD) ? ameli.fr. 2026. Read the source
- Bourguignon T, Bouquiaux-Stablo AL, Candolfi P, et al. Very long-term outcomes of the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount valve in aortic position. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2015. Read the source
- Heneghan C, Ward A, Perera R, et al. Self-monitoring of oral anticoagulation: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data. The Lancet. 2012. Read the source
- Vahanian A, Beyersdorf F, Praz F, et al. 2021 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. 2021. Read the source
- Mack MJ, Leon MB, Thourani VH, et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement with a Balloon-Expandable Valve in Low-Risk Patients. New England Journal of Medicine. 2019. Read the source
- Popma JJ, Deeb GM, Yakubov SJ, et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement with a Self-Expanding Valve in Low-Risk Patients. New England Journal of Medicine. 2019. Read the source
- Mack MJ, Leon MB, Thourani VH, et al. Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients at Five Years. New England Journal of Medicine. 2023. Read the source
- Osnabrugge RL, Mylotte D, Head SJ, et al. Aortic stenosis in the elderly: disease prevalence and number of candidates for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a meta-analysis and modeling study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2013. Read the source
- Kolte D, Goldsweig A, Kennedy KF, et al. Comparison of Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Early Infective Endocarditis after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States. The American Journal of Cardiology. 2018. Read the source
- Fauchier L, Bisson A, Herbert J, et al. Incidence and outcomes of infective endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation versus surgical aortic valve replacement. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 2020. Read the source
- Parlement européen et Conseil. Règlement (UE) 2017/745 relatif aux dispositifs médicaux, article 18 : carte d’implant. 2017. Read the source
- Aslan AN, Bastug S, Kasapkara HA, et al. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the Edwards Sapien 3 valve: First experiences in Turkey. Türk Kardiyoloji Derneği Arşivi. 2016. Read the source
